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Free speech or incitement? French mag runs cartoons of Prophet Mohammed
Paris (CNN) -- After a week of deadly, international protests against an anti-Islam film, a French satirical magazine is fueling the debate between freedom of expression and offensive provocation.
The magazine Charlie Hebdo published cartoons featuring a figure resembling the Prophet Mohammed in an issue that hit newsstands Wednesday.
Magazine director Stephane Charbonnier said his staff is "not really fueling the fire," but rather using its freedom of expression "to comment (on) the news in a satirical way."
"It happens that the news this week is Mohammed and this lousy film, so we are drawing cartoons about this subject," Charbonnier told CNN affiliate BFM-TV on Wednesday. "It's more turning in derision this grotesque film than to make fun of Mohammed."
The "lousy film" he's referring to is "Innocence of Muslims," an amateurish, 14-minute video that mocks the Prophet Mohammed as a womanizer, child molester and killer. The video drew international attention last week and spawned heated protests in more than a dozen countries.
France says it will not authorize protests over anti-Islam film
Imam: Mohammed insults are personal
Film mocking Mohammed sparks protests
Any depiction of Islam's prophet is considered blasphemy by many Muslims.
France will close embassies and schools in about 20 countries on Friday, the main Muslim day of prayer, as a precaution, the Foreign Ministry said Wednesday. It is already boosting security in some locations.
There has been no violence reported as a result of the cartoons so far.
They were published just a day after hundreds of Muslims took to Twitter to satirize the U.S. magazine Newsweek's cover story on "Muslim Rage."
Muslims posted tongue-in-cheek tweets about what enrages them, such as having a really good hair day but no one knowing because you wear a hijab.
Hend Amry, who posted that tweet as @LibyaLiberty, said Charlie Hebdo's latest cartoons were a cynical attempt to inflate sales.
She compared it to the French magazine that printed topless photos of Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge last week.
"Like printing tawdry pics of (Catherine) Middleton -- lowbrow rating booster," she said.
"If we're going to chart it on the Muslim insult-o-meter, it is less inflammatory than the 'film,' but does continue the East/West divide we see," she told CNN.
Charlie Hebdo journalist Laurent Leger said the magazine has shown Muslim men and Muslim extremists in the past, but does not explicitly state that the cartoons are depictions of the Prophet Mohammed.
Rather, he said, the cartoons are open to interpretation.
"The aim is to laugh. We want to laugh at the extremists -- every extremist. They can be Muslim, Jewish, Catholic. Everyone can be religious, but extremist thoughts and acts we cannot accept," Leger said.
Hend Amry said she didn't believe that was really the magazine's intention.
"No it isn't. It's for ratings," she said.
Leger said the magazine was within its rights.
"In France, we always have the right to write and draw. And if some people are not happy with this, they can sue us and we can defend ourselves. That's democracy. You don't throw bombs, you discuss, you debate. But you don't act violently. We have to stand and resist pressure from extremism."
The cartoons are already drawing strong condemnation by the French Muslim community.
Mohammed Moussaoui, president of the French Council of Muslim Faith, described a feeling of "indignation against this new Islamophobic act" to BFM-TV.
He said the cartoons are "insulting for the prophet of Islam," and described their publication as a "new provocation."
French authorities have already taken precautionary measures, with police vehicles parked outside the offices of Charlie Hebdo late Tuesday.
The offices were the scene of an attack last November, when they were burned on the day the magazine was due to publish an issue with a cover appearing to make fun of Islamic law.
The cover featured a bearded and turbaned cartoon figure of the Prophet Mohammed saying, "100 lashes if you're not dying of laughter."
The magazine received threats after it announced that the edition would be guest-edited by the Prophet Mohammed and dedicated to the Arab Spring, Charbonnier told BFM-TV in November.
The cartoonist known as Luz has been under police protection since last year, when one of his illustrations depicting the Prophet Mohammed was featured on the cover of that issue.
Luz told CNN the latest cartoons depicting Mohammed are not featured on the cover.
"We learned our lesson," Luz said.
French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault weighed in on the debate Tuesday, expressing "his disapproval of any excess" and appealing "to the spirit of responsibility of each," according to a statement from his office.
"The prime minister states that the freedom of speech makes up one of the fundamental principles of our republic. This freedom is expressed within the confines of the law and under the control of the courts," the statement read.
Outside the country, security at French embassies have been reinforced, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said.
"I am against all provocations, especially during a period as sensitive as this one. I do not see any usefulness in such provocation," he told the radio station France Info. "There must be freedom of speech, but I am absolutely opposed to any provocation."
France has seen rising tensions over its rapidly growing Muslim minority -- the largest Muslim population in western Europe. Last year, the country banned the wearing of Islamic veils and other face coverings, claiming they were both degrading and a security risk.
Belgium has passed similar legislation, and Switzerland banned the building of minarets, the tall spires which often stand next to mosques.
French Muslims feel like scapegoats for nation's problems
http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/19/world/europe/france-mohammed-cartoon/index.html?npt=NP1
The magazine Charlie Hebdo published cartoons featuring a figure resembling the Prophet Mohammed in an issue that hit newsstands Wednesday.
Magazine director Stephane Charbonnier said his staff is "not really fueling the fire," but rather using its freedom of expression "to comment (on) the news in a satirical way."
"It happens that the news this week is Mohammed and this lousy film, so we are drawing cartoons about this subject," Charbonnier told CNN affiliate BFM-TV on Wednesday. "It's more turning in derision this grotesque film than to make fun of Mohammed."
The "lousy film" he's referring to is "Innocence of Muslims," an amateurish, 14-minute video that mocks the Prophet Mohammed as a womanizer, child molester and killer. The video drew international attention last week and spawned heated protests in more than a dozen countries.
France says it will not authorize protests over anti-Islam film
Imam: Mohammed insults are personal
Film mocking Mohammed sparks protests
Any depiction of Islam's prophet is considered blasphemy by many Muslims.
France will close embassies and schools in about 20 countries on Friday, the main Muslim day of prayer, as a precaution, the Foreign Ministry said Wednesday. It is already boosting security in some locations.
There has been no violence reported as a result of the cartoons so far.
They were published just a day after hundreds of Muslims took to Twitter to satirize the U.S. magazine Newsweek's cover story on "Muslim Rage."
Muslims posted tongue-in-cheek tweets about what enrages them, such as having a really good hair day but no one knowing because you wear a hijab.
Hend Amry, who posted that tweet as @LibyaLiberty, said Charlie Hebdo's latest cartoons were a cynical attempt to inflate sales.
She compared it to the French magazine that printed topless photos of Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge last week.
"Like printing tawdry pics of (Catherine) Middleton -- lowbrow rating booster," she said.
"If we're going to chart it on the Muslim insult-o-meter, it is less inflammatory than the 'film,' but does continue the East/West divide we see," she told CNN.
Charlie Hebdo journalist Laurent Leger said the magazine has shown Muslim men and Muslim extremists in the past, but does not explicitly state that the cartoons are depictions of the Prophet Mohammed.
Rather, he said, the cartoons are open to interpretation.
"The aim is to laugh. We want to laugh at the extremists -- every extremist. They can be Muslim, Jewish, Catholic. Everyone can be religious, but extremist thoughts and acts we cannot accept," Leger said.
Hend Amry said she didn't believe that was really the magazine's intention.
"No it isn't. It's for ratings," she said.
Leger said the magazine was within its rights.
"In France, we always have the right to write and draw. And if some people are not happy with this, they can sue us and we can defend ourselves. That's democracy. You don't throw bombs, you discuss, you debate. But you don't act violently. We have to stand and resist pressure from extremism."
The cartoons are already drawing strong condemnation by the French Muslim community.
Mohammed Moussaoui, president of the French Council of Muslim Faith, described a feeling of "indignation against this new Islamophobic act" to BFM-TV.
He said the cartoons are "insulting for the prophet of Islam," and described their publication as a "new provocation."
French authorities have already taken precautionary measures, with police vehicles parked outside the offices of Charlie Hebdo late Tuesday.
The offices were the scene of an attack last November, when they were burned on the day the magazine was due to publish an issue with a cover appearing to make fun of Islamic law.
The cover featured a bearded and turbaned cartoon figure of the Prophet Mohammed saying, "100 lashes if you're not dying of laughter."
The magazine received threats after it announced that the edition would be guest-edited by the Prophet Mohammed and dedicated to the Arab Spring, Charbonnier told BFM-TV in November.
The cartoonist known as Luz has been under police protection since last year, when one of his illustrations depicting the Prophet Mohammed was featured on the cover of that issue.
Luz told CNN the latest cartoons depicting Mohammed are not featured on the cover.
"We learned our lesson," Luz said.
French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault weighed in on the debate Tuesday, expressing "his disapproval of any excess" and appealing "to the spirit of responsibility of each," according to a statement from his office.
"The prime minister states that the freedom of speech makes up one of the fundamental principles of our republic. This freedom is expressed within the confines of the law and under the control of the courts," the statement read.
Outside the country, security at French embassies have been reinforced, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said.
"I am against all provocations, especially during a period as sensitive as this one. I do not see any usefulness in such provocation," he told the radio station France Info. "There must be freedom of speech, but I am absolutely opposed to any provocation."
France has seen rising tensions over its rapidly growing Muslim minority -- the largest Muslim population in western Europe. Last year, the country banned the wearing of Islamic veils and other face coverings, claiming they were both degrading and a security risk.
Belgium has passed similar legislation, and Switzerland banned the building of minarets, the tall spires which often stand next to mosques.
French Muslims feel like scapegoats for nation's problems
http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/19/world/europe/france-mohammed-cartoon/index.html?npt=NP1
knowing our luck, Cartman would win the Tiddly Winks
Right and Cartman lands up getting stranded out there whining, "hey guys, guys."
That would be a great episode for South Park.
Yes, let them fight it out with tiddley winks !
I wish all the True Believers of every faith would just go off to an island somewhere and hash this out between themselves either through learned debate, or jousting, or Tiddley Winks and leave the rest of us alone.
I believe in freedom of speech and I also agree that the extremist muslim's will find an excuse to attack Americans, or westerners in general. I guess for me, given the current climate and all that is going on, why give them another excuse? I so see this as being a tad bit irresponsible. I don't think I would hold them responsible for the backlash - they haven't broken any laws or anything, but I do think it just a bad idea right now.
In my personal opinion, Im not that wild about being disrespectful toward any religion, but that's just a general thing for me. I don't like mocking or disrespect of any culture or religion. But, at the same time, I don't think that doing so gives anyone the right to behave the way the extremists are. However, I agree, if it wasn't this, it would be something else. That's why they are called extremists. I just hope no one else dies.
In my personal opinion, Im not that wild about being disrespectful toward any religion, but that's just a general thing for me. I don't like mocking or disrespect of any culture or religion. But, at the same time, I don't think that doing so gives anyone the right to behave the way the extremists are. However, I agree, if it wasn't this, it would be something else. That's why they are called extremists. I just hope no one else dies.
LOL
If Mohammed was and was pleased at what these lunatics are doing in his name, he would not be worthy to place his lips on my Butt.
LOL. Thats all good El. But if you were over there on their turf, would you just repeat that?
My point is that it is great to have freedoms of speech, expression and all that but do we need to goad someone to p*ss them off knowing beforehand that it is offensive to that group of people? The latter would be considered hate speech.
Call and Italian a wap or a black a ****** and see how long it is before you end up before a judge.....See what Im sayin? Its degrading and disrespectful and the intent is to hurt. Same with this kind of stuff against someones religion imo
My point is that it is great to have freedoms of speech, expression and all that but do we need to goad someone to p*ss them off knowing beforehand that it is offensive to that group of people? The latter would be considered hate speech.
Call and Italian a wap or a black a ****** and see how long it is before you end up before a judge.....See what Im sayin? Its degrading and disrespectful and the intent is to hurt. Same with this kind of stuff against someones religion imo
Mohammed WAS a womanizer...
Mohammed WAS a child molester...
Mohammed WAS a killer...
So what now? Should I sit around and wait for a Muslim extremist to track me down and blow me up, or will they cyber-attack MH and shut down the servers, because I wrote a statement that they're unhappy with?
Extremist Muslims can get bent, and they can take their silly little extremist prophet with them.
Mohammed WAS a child molester...
Mohammed WAS a killer...
So what now? Should I sit around and wait for a Muslim extremist to track me down and blow me up, or will they cyber-attack MH and shut down the servers, because I wrote a statement that they're unhappy with?
Extremist Muslims can get bent, and they can take their silly little extremist prophet with them.
I don't know if it would be a "hate" crime. I mean, "Jesus is a dork' isn't a message of hate.
I firmly believe that these people would "fish" for an excuse to blow something up, if they actually needed an excuse.
A wise person might not do any provoking.
I firmly believe that these people would "fish" for an excuse to blow something up, if they actually needed an excuse.
A wise person might not do any provoking.
I dont think we should pander to anyone. Nor do I think we should stoke the fire as el put it. If intent is provided is it not considered a hate crime and no longer free speech? Thinking out loud here.
Why pander to these people? Most of them that are fired up over this video haven't even seen the video! They didn't even evaluate the material for themselves.... granted, we aren't dealing with a real rational group of people. These people are looking for an excuse to pop off....
So, should the French have agitated them? I think there's a more important question here. Why would these people give a damned about what the French think of their profit? All they have to do is be good with their profit and live accordingly. And of course, killing anyone making fun of their profit is acceptable? Because they say so?
Pi$$ on them. They need to mind their own business and quit being concerned about what the French think. If they would spend half the time worrying about their crappy country and whats wrong there, they'd have no time to be mad at the French!
I think it's safe to say that the French know what they're doing. Call it provocation or free speech, it doesn't matter. THESE MUSLIMS are going to make a big deal about anything that happens.
So, should the French have agitated them? I think there's a more important question here. Why would these people give a damned about what the French think of their profit? All they have to do is be good with their profit and live accordingly. And of course, killing anyone making fun of their profit is acceptable? Because they say so?
Pi$$ on them. They need to mind their own business and quit being concerned about what the French think. If they would spend half the time worrying about their crappy country and whats wrong there, they'd have no time to be mad at the French!
I think it's safe to say that the French know what they're doing. Call it provocation or free speech, it doesn't matter. THESE MUSLIMS are going to make a big deal about anything that happens.
I agree.
Of course we believe in free speech and freedom to insult whomever we please.
However the timing of this, is outrageous. Do they really want to cause more unrest ? It sure seems like it.
Of course we believe in free speech and freedom to insult whomever we please.
However the timing of this, is outrageous. Do they really want to cause more unrest ? It sure seems like it.
That makes sense, that they poked the bear, so to speak. It happens all of the time on this forum.
If one KNOWS that printing articles or cartoons of Mohammed is going to incite acts of violence, and cause the crazies and/or extremists to retaliate, then I think it's irresponsible "journalism" to do so.
Listen, no matter WHAT you say or draw in reference to Mohammed, there are Muslims that are going to be offended (even if it's meant in jest), so if that's the case, DON'T PRINT OR DRAW ANYTHING that has anything to do with Muslims and Mohammed.
This French magazine/publication, in essence, poked the bear. If there are murders, bombings, attacks, shootings, etc, this magazine should be held responsible.
I'm not saying that it should be made illegal to print/draw Mohammed, but people need to police themselves and stop provoking the crazy Muslims!
Listen, no matter WHAT you say or draw in reference to Mohammed, there are Muslims that are going to be offended (even if it's meant in jest), so if that's the case, DON'T PRINT OR DRAW ANYTHING that has anything to do with Muslims and Mohammed.
This French magazine/publication, in essence, poked the bear. If there are murders, bombings, attacks, shootings, etc, this magazine should be held responsible.
I'm not saying that it should be made illegal to print/draw Mohammed, but people need to police themselves and stop provoking the crazy Muslims!
I agree. Good.
Good, I am glad they did this. People in a free society can do what they want within the law. If crazies want to committ acts of violence then it is going to turn more and more people against them and any cause they are fighting for.
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